Entry bans to Indonesia due to Israeli stamp?

I am a British passport holder living in Australia and have visited many countries in the world, including Israel, as a short term tourist. Although not Jewish I have been told that because I have an Israeli stamp on my passport I cannot use it to visit Indonesia. Is this true?

Comments

Not true - there is no official policy or confirmed incidents of people being refused entry because of Israeli stamps. Indonesian passport holders can get into trouble, but not tourists. You should have no problems at all.

Im Indonesian, and Im absolutely sure that you wont have a problem entering our country with Israel's stamp on your passport. Indonesia is the biggest moslem population but we are very tolerant people. A lot of Indonesian people mostly who are not moslem went to Israel also. So sure it's ok for you Dont worry we respect all the religions and in fact we celebrate 5 religious event as national's holiday, not like Britain which didnt recognise that .. So hope you will have good time in Indonesia

I have travelled to Indonesia after Israel and I had no problem, so I am sure it should be fine. I would call the Indonesian Embassy in your home country though just to make sure the rules and regulations havent changed.

I just called the Indonesian High Com in London and they said in a British passport, no problem. The Indonesian friend who posted above might like to know that his neighbours, Malaysia, are (I hear) less tolerant of Israeli stamps. So, Bali here I come!!!!If you have Indonesian stamps in a passport and visit Israel, you are likely to encounter longer questioning on entry but there is no ban on entry with indonesian stamps.

I have done some research and Indonesia is never a problem for those with Israeli stamps in their passports. I would welcome any information about which countries do have a problem with it though because reports seem to vary. Is this because border officials on the ground apply their own prejudices? I plan to travel in the Middle East and have been warned that many countries may not let me in with the Israeli stamp in my passport...

Ella, if you do a search for Visa Requirements for Israeli Citizens you should find a wikipedia article with a map including all the countries that refuse entry to Israeli citizens. Generally, these are the same countries that refuse entry to those with Israeli stamps in their passport. This is official immigration policy of the countries concerned and rather than being due to prejudice, is a reaction to Israel's colonial dispossession of the indigenous Palestinian population.

On July 3, 2008, an official decision was made by the Israeli government that no longer required entry stamps to be put on foreign passports. In such cases, a traveller could request the immigration officer not to stamp their passport and they would be given form 17L which was duly completed then stamped by passport control upon entry/exit. The form 17L was retained by the traveller as it could also be used for the collection of tax refunds and proof of legal entry.

However since January 2013 a scheme was introduced whereby visitors to Israel are given an entry card instead of an entry stamp on arrival. This card must be kept with your passport until you leave. This is evidence of legal entry into Israel and may be required, particularly at any crossing points into the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Thanks Alethia, very useful. Tell me, I have been advised that the extension to stays (after the initial 90 days) do still get stamped in the passport and this cannot be avoided. Is that true to your knowledge?

Israeli's are very aware that people can encounter difficulties with Israel visa stamps, I believe they can give the extension on a document as opposed to the visa going in the passport. This can be verified with the local Ministry of the Interior, their call center numbers are *3450 or dial 12223450 from inside Israel.

You can always go out to Jordan and re-enter avoiding again the visa stamp, there is no time limit about how long you must stay outside.

Jordan River crossing point (Sheikh Hussein) - This crossing point between Israel and Jordan is intended for Israeli citizens and for foreigners. The crossing point is open seven days a week 06:30-22:30. Border control services are provided during all the hours of the crossing point's activity.

Allenby Bridge crossing point - This crossing point between Israel and Jordan is intended for the Palestinian population, residents of the eastern part of Jerusalem, and foreigners. The crossing point is open Sunday-Thursday 07:30-24:00, Friday 07:30-15:00, and Saturday 07:30-15:00. Border control services are provided during the hours of the crossing point's activity. During Moslem holidays and for those who are traveling to Mecca the crossing point is open 24 hours a day.

The source of this information is from the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs.